Dear Friends,
Advent is already upon us. Advent that strange time of year when we are spiritually called to take extra time out to wait upon the Lord and hear His voice, while the demands of the upcoming Christmas holiday are keeping us busy. At the same time, we are told to not sing Christmas carols, while every mall and store is filled with Christmas music. The world is already celebrating the Christmas season, while we Anglicans and a few other sacramental traditions are lighting Advent candles and trying to ignore all the commercialism of Christmas, while at the same time make good use of those amazing sales this time of year brings.
Advent for those of us who celebrate it, is a season of contrasts. We await the celebration of Christ's first coming to earth as a vulnerable baby, while acknowledging His promise to return to us in glory and power. Yet, Advent is also the Season of Promise, promises fulfilled and of promises yet to happen. No other time in the calendar do we Christians stand out in stark contrast with the secular world that offers promises that give only temporary satisfaction.
The Hope of Christ, who has come and will come again, is the Advent message we Christians have to offer to a world that needs a Savior now more than ever. As unemployment continues to rise and people's faith in secular institutions goes down, the Church is called to join with the angels in heralding the Good News of Christ. For it is the same Christ born in a manger of long ago of whom we await to fill our lives with the Peace, Joy and Love that only God can give.
Have a Blessed Advent,
Pastor Alice+ |
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Deacon Susan Twerdy Rhodes' Corner
First and foremost, David and I want to thank all of you for the warm and wonderful welcome we received upon our first "official" day with St. Raphael's By the Sea Anglican Church. The special cake was both beautiful and delicious. And it was great to talk with and get to know some of you during the coffee hour reception. We felt right at home!
As one of my first "official" acts as your new deacon, I would like to invite each of you to attend an eight-week class on Christian healing. The class will be held after the Sunday morning worship service and will begin on January 9th. We will study Jesus' 26 individual healing encounters recorded in the Gospels so that we may have a clear knowledge of the teaching of the Bible and come to a basic understanding of the healing ministry. During our time together, we also will study the basic biblical concepts of inner healing and everyone will be given an opportunity to pray for healing for others and to have others pray for healing for us. So, please join us!
Blessings,
Deacon Susan |
Christmas Community Outreach
This year, St. Raphael's by the Sea parishioners will be joining with the local Firefighters and the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce to help wrap Christmas presents for needy children who live on Fort Myers Beach. The gift wrapping will take place at the Red Coconut on December 15th, beginning at 5:30pm. The Red Coconut will be providing a light supper for the volunteers. Please set aside time in your busy schedule and join with us in helping to bring unexpected joy to families that need extra help, especially during these trying times. Remember, caring begins by sharing. A few minutes of your time can mean a lot to someone else. Looking forward to seeing you there!
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Donate On-Line to St. Raphael's by the Sea Church
To make it readily accessable and easy for our season members and friends to help support the missions of St. Raphael's by the Sea, we have set-up a means to receive donations via credit cards, debit cards, and direct from your bank accounts! Just click on the link below, enter you information and desired donation, and voila!, the transaction is completed for you direct into St. Raphael's by the Sea checking account. You can even specify how you want the funds used; from paying operating expenses, to flowers, music, Christmas, Easter, etc.
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About the Gulf Atlantic Diocese of the ACNA
Dynamos Youth Retreat
Consider Dynamos #9, March 11-13, 2011. (Applications to be posted after conclusion of Dynamos #8. However, apply to be Rector).
Who?
- Candidate- If you have never been to a weekend like Dynamos and you're in high school, you can participate as a candidate. You can download a Candidate application and a medical form.
- Team- If you've been to Dynamos already you can apply to be a member of God's team on Dynamos #9. You can download a Team application and a medical form.
Have questions? Need more information? You can contact Father Andrew Rowell by email or telephone, (850) 701-0664 ext. 18 or Barbara Boone at bboone@talchamber.com to find out everything there is to know about Dynamos.
 Join the Dynamos Facebook Group.
What? Dynamos is the spirit in motion, God acting in the world and in our lives in a powerful and amazing way. Dynamos is the youth renewal retreat for high school students, run by the students of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese.
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 Mark Your Calendars for March 5th 2011!
Paul Todd will be coming to St. Raphael's by the Sea Anglican Church located at the recently closed Beach Movie Theatre on Estero Blvd. in Fort Myers Beach.
The Performer......
A critically acclaimed prolific writer, entertainer, composer, arranger, and singer, Paul Todd has been amazing crowds since he won the prestigious National Yamaha Keyboard Contest at the young age of fourteen. His career began with classmate singer Linda Eder as "The Paul and Linda Show", playing clubs and opening for such celebrities as The Pointer Sisters, Rich Little, The Gatlin Brothers, and Joan Rivers. After beginning his own solo career, Paul has experienced all facets of the music industry, and has headlined in theaters and concert halls worldwide. His Broadway performances include the Beacon Theater, where he performed in a special production of "A Night on Broadway", with Broadway greats: Hinton Battle, Carla Burns, and Danielle Furland. As a Christian artist, he has worked with some of his favorites, including; Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Phil Driscol. There will be 2 Concerts! A matinee' at 4pm and an evening concert at 7pm. Tickets are $20.00 per person. Proceeds will go to support St. Raphael's by the Sea Anglican Church Outreach and Reserve Fund. Buy early to get a seat as Paul is quite popular locally.
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BLESSING OF THE SHRIMP FLEET
An historic turn of events has happened. The owner of the Shrimp Fleet, Dennis Henderson, contacted Betty Goodacre and invited St. Raphael's by the Sea Anglican Church to host the Shrimp Fleet Blessing for 2011. The Blessing ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 20th at 2:30pm on the shrimp docks. The Rt. Reverend Neil Lebhar, Bishop of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese in the Anglican Church of North America, has kindly accepted the shrimpers' invitation to bless the Shrimp Fleet. While the Blessing of the Fleet is the centerpiece of the event, activities for family fun are enjoyed by all, especially the shrimp eating contest at 1:30pm. Vendors will be at the docks and open from noon until 5pm.  |
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Rummage Sale
We are now ready to start gathering your sellable donations for our first Rummage Sale.
Roxie Smith has generously stepped forward and provided us with the funds to rent a space that we will be able to gather, store and prep the items for a rummage sale
planned for the last weekend of January 2011.
Please bring your smaller items to the church for Cris Zack, Leeanna Parsons,
Roxie Smith or Jim & Pastor Alice and they will see that they get to the staging area that we have rented. For the larger items please make arrangments with one of the five
people listed above to drop off or have picked up.
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Our Mission is to Know Christ and to make Christ known to others. To accomplish that mission, it takes commitment and resources. Please read the next few paragraphs and do what you can to support and further the mission.
Needs of our Church
- Financial contributions and donations to cover:
- Operating expenses; such as, rent for our worship space, supplies, secretarial assistance and office supplies, outreach, etc.
- Our very minimal tithe to the Gulf Atlantic Diocese
- Salary and modest expenses for our pastor
- Prayers and support from our seasonal members to sustain our full time members in their efforts until you all return and physically "pitch in"
- New members to expand our outreach and service in doing the Lord's work in our communities
Our Prayer List
PARISHIONERS:
Roxie Smith Betty Goodacre AJ Bassett
Sue Egony Alfred Paprocki Pat McIntosh
FAMILY OF PARISHIONERS:
Chris Parsons Frandy Bassett Courtney Looney
Harry Marcrum Gary Looney Jackie Parsons
Pam Tasha Looney Stephanie Joy
Melanie Coleman
FRIENDS Carol Hartman Tammy Joy
Lily Langster Amy Elaine Hastings
Bill Van Duzer Jean Matthew Stan Hastings
Carolyn Shirly Durbin Sandy & Sparky Smith
Arthur & Mary Alice Keillor
Remember to pray for those who are in the military service and our nation's leaders.
Active military: Rockford Guy, John Bell, Adam Stock, Louis Feaman, David Bellows, David
Webb, Caroline, Nick Looney
Celebrate Birthdays and Anniversaries
December Birthdays December Anniversaries
2nd Elaine Hastings 15th Ed & Linda Ash
14th Cris Zack
16th Aurthur Keillor
20th Jim Marcrum
27th Patsy Logan
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Joke for the Month
The pastor was looking over the crèche the day after Christmas when he noticed that the baby Jesus was missing. He went outside and saw a little boy pulling a new red wagon. In the wagon was Jesus.
We walked up to the boy and said, "Hi, there. Where did you get the baby Jesus?"
The boy answered honestly, "In the church."
"Why did you take him?" the pastor asked.
"Well," said the boy, "I prayed to the Lord Jesus and asked him for a wagon for Christmas. I told Him that if He gave me one, I'd take Him for a ride in it."
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Recipe of the Month:
Cake Balls
Ingredients
- 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
- 1 (16 ounce) container prepared chocolate frosting
- 1 (3 ounce) bar chocolate flavored confectioners coating
Directions
- Prepare the cake mix according to package directions using any of the recommended pan sizes. When cake is done, crumble while warm into a large bowl, and stir in the frosting until well blended.
- Melt chocolate coating in a glass bowl in the microwave, or in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.
- Use a melon baller or small scoop to form balls of the chocolate cake mixture. Dip the balls in chocolate using a toothpick or fork to hold them. Place on waxed paper to set.
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Saint Raphael's by the Sea Church
